Bryce Harper is on the board at spring training.The slugger lined a 97 mph fastball to center field in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against Detroit for his first hit with the Philadelphia Phillies after an 0-for-9 start.Harper jokingly gestured toward the dugout that he wanted to keep the ball.It was Harper's 16th plate appearance over six exhibition games. Spencer Turnbull struck him out swinging in the first.His final time up, Harper walked against Reed Garrett to lead off the seventh. Harper has struck out six times and drawn five walks."Took great swings on pitches that he just missed and fouled back," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said after the 3-1 loss to the Tigers."And one swing, a foul ball (down the third base side) that was a real near-miss. You could see with just a little bit better timing that ball is in the seats in left field. So, a lot to get excited about there with Bryce."Harper played seven innings in right field.Kapler plans to hit Harper third regularly during... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Felix Hernandez doesn't think he could have changed the mind of Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais about opening day, even by pitching well this spring.With his ERA approaching 16, it's a moot point.King Felix is royally agitated anyway.Hernandez was tagged for seven runs in three-plus innings against the Cleveland Indians on Sunday, raising his spring ERA to 15.95 a day after Servais announced that Marco Gonzales would start Seattle's season opener against Oakland in Tokyo on March 20.Seattle's decision ends Hernandez's run of 10 consecutive opening day starts.Hernandez spoke publicly after the game for the first time since Servais' announcement. Asked if he was upset, Hernandez said simply, "Yeah," but declined to elaborate on his emotions."I knew it was going to happen," he added.Hernandez was also asked if he could have convinced Servais to give him the opening day nod with a better spring camp."No," he said while shaking his head.The 32-year-old has been losing... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Presumably, they will all be ready to pitch the first week of the season. Right now, Cleveland's loaded starting rotation is in limbo.With the March 28 opener at Minnesota drawing near, manager Terry Francona has yet to say who he will start against the Twins or how he will configure his starters in the early stages of the season.There is a lot to consider.Potential trades involving two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and All-Star Trevor Bauer never materialized this winter, leaving the lndians with an arsenal of right-handers, including Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber. The strength of the rotation is one reason the Indians are predicted to win the AL Central for the fourth consecutive year.Francona and pitching coach Carl Willis are evaluating how to seize momentum in April by lining up the pitchers in the most efficient early season order.One factor is recognizing that only Bauer will have pitched enough in spring training to build up the arm... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Presumably, they will all be ready to pitch the first week of the season. Right now, Cleveland's loaded starting rotation is in limbo.With the March 28 opener at Minnesota drawing near, manager Terry Francona has yet to say who he will start against the Twins or how he will configure his starters in the early stages of the season.There is a lot to consider.Potential trades involving two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and All-Star Trevor Bauer never materialized this winter, leaving the lndians with an arsenal of right-handers, including Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber. The strength of the rotation is one reason the Indians are predicted to win the AL Central for the fourth consecutive year.Francona and pitching coach Carl Willis are evaluating how to seize momentum in April by lining up the pitchers in the most efficient early season order.One factor is recognizing that only Bauer will have pitched enough in spring training to build up the arm... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Forget about this bullpen obsession for a moment. Believe it or not, plenty of big league teams are still anchored by well-armed rotations.In this age of openers and closers, with relievers starting games and starters rarely finishing them, it might seem starting pitchers have been devalued by executives all over baseball.Dallas Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, is a 31-year-old free agent still looking for a job. Same for fellow lefty Gio Gonzalez, a two-time All-Star one season removed from going 15-9 with a 2.96 ERA in 201 innings.Meanwhile, short relievers like Zack Britton ($39 million), Jeurys Familia ($30 million), Kelvin Herrera ($18 million) and Joakim Soria ($15 million) had no trouble getting multiyear deals this winter.Doesn't anyone remember what Koufax and Drysdale did for the Dodgers?Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz with the Braves?"At the end of the day, your starting staff is the backbone of your team," Washington ace Max Scherzer said.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Carrasco's $14 million club option for 2023 under his new deal with the Cleveland Indians would become guaranteed if he pitches 170 or more innings in 2022 and is expected to be healthy for the following season.The 31-year-old right-hander agreed Dec. 6 to a $47 million, four-year contract, a deal that was finalized on Thursday.Carrasco's contract includes $37.25 million in new guaranteed money. It keeps his $9.75 million salary this year and calls for $10.25 million in 2020, which had been the option price of his previous deal. The agreement adds salaries of $12 million in 2021 and '22 plus the new option year.His 2020 salary would increase by $2 million for a Cy Young Award this year, $1 million for finishing second or third, $750,000 for fourth or fifth, and $500,000 for sixth through 10th, as long as he receives at least two votes.For the remainder of the contract, salaries could escalate by up to $3 million using the same formula.He would get a one-time assignment... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Carrasco's career has taken some dramatic turns, re-routed by elbow surgery, a therapeutic trip to the bullpen and several freakish injuries.He persevered, blossoming into a special pitcher — and person — for the Cleveland Indians.They're going to keep him around.The three-time AL Central champions and Carrasco agreed Thursday to a $47 million, four-year contract, a deal that includes $37.25 million in new guaranteed money and could keep him in a Cleveland uniform through the 2023 season.Carrasco, who has won 35 games over the past two seasons, will make $9.75 million next season, the same as his prior deal, and $10.25 million in 2020 — the same amount as the club's previous option for that season. The Indians added on two more seasons at $12 million each, and Cleveland holds a 2023 option for $14 million with a $3 million buyout.For the cash-conscious Indians, the 31-year-old Carrasco is invaluable.He's a core member of one of baseball's best rotations, which could... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians have signed starter Carlos Carrasco to a four-year contract extension through the 2022 season.Carrasco's deal includes a club option for 2023. Financial terms were not immediately available.The right-hander went 17-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 30 starts last season for the AL Central champions. He finished with a career-high 231 strikeouts as the Indians became the first team to have four pitchers reach 200 strikeouts in the same season.The 31-year-old Carrasco has developed into one of the league's elite starters, and the Indians wanted to lock him up for the future.Cleveland is still toying with trading either Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer to address their outfield needs.Carrasco is 79-62 with a 3.71 ERA in 207 career games. The Indians acquired him from Philadelphia in the July 2009 blockbuster that involved ace Cliff Lee.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians traded one of their big arms — from behind the plateCleveland, which has discussed moving right-handers Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco in possible trades while restructuring its payroll, dealt All-Star catcher Yan Gomes to the Washington Nationals on Friday night.In return, the three-time defending AL Central champions got outfielder Daniel Jonson, right-hander Jefry Rodriguez and a player to be named. Team president Chris Antonetti called Johnson and Rodriguez "upper-level prospects" who should be able to help the Indians in the next few seasons.The Gomes deal is unlikely to be the last move this offseason by the Indians, who followed up another strong regular season stretch run with a disappointing performance against Houston in the AL Division Series. Cleveland got swept, and with its window for contention possibly closing, the team is looking to fill some holes in the outfield and bullpen.Cleveland may have to move Kluber, a two-time Cy Young... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians traded one of their big arms — from behind the plateCleveland, which has been dangling right-handers Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco as trade bait, dealt All-Star catcher Yan Gomes to the Washington Nationals on Friday.In return, the three-time defending AL Central champions got outfielder Daniel Jonson and right-hander Jefry Rodriguez.The Nationals went into the offseason in need of a new catcher — and now have two new ones. They also signed free agent Kurt Suzuki.Gomes has been a steady player for Cleveland since coming over from Toronto in 2012. The 31-year-old had one of his best offensive seasons in 2018, batting .266 with a career-high 26 doubles, 16 homers and 48 RBIs in 112 games. He was also excellent behind the plate and got selected an AL All-Star for the first time.Gomes will make $7 million next season and his contract includes club options for 2020 at $9 million with a $1 million buyout and for 2021 at $11 million.The Indians may be negotiating a new contract with Carrasco, but may still deal either Kluber or Bauer, two of the AL's best starters.Gomes' departure leaves the Indians with Roberto Perez and rookie Eric Haase as their primary catchers, but it's possible they may look to acquire one in any upcoming deals.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians traded one of their extra pieces. They're keeping their bigger ones — for now.Cleveland began what could be a busy offseason on Wednesday by dealing versatile infielder Erik Gonzalez to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a five-player swap.The AL Central champions sent the 27-year-old Gonzalez, who appeared in 81 games for the Indians last season, along with minor league right-handers Tahnaj Thomas and Dante Mendoza to the Pirates for outfielder Jordan Luplow and infielder Max Moroff.Gonzalez batted .265 with one homer and 16 RBIs last season for Cleveland, which signed the Dominican native in 2009. And while he filled a valuable utility role, he was not going to crack the starting lineup behind All-Stars Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez."That was a tough thing for us," Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. "We've had multiple conversations with Erik about it. He's done so many things to impact the organization in his time with us, from... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians have some tough decisions to make this offseason. The one on Carlos Carrasco was simple.Cleveland picked up its $9.75 million contract option for next season on the right-hander, who has developed into one of the AL's most consistent and dominating pitchers over the past few years.The team declined its $3 million option for 2019 on outfielder Brandon Guyer, who battled through injuries last season. He'll get a $250,000 buyout and become a free agent. It's very possible he'll re-sign with the Indians, who value what he brings on and off the field.The 31-year-old Carrasco went 17-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 30 starts last season for the AL Central champions. He also recorded a team-high 231 strikeouts in 192 innings as the Indians became the first team in baseball history to have four pitchers top the 200-strikeout plateau.The team has another option for 2020 on the right-hander, who has gone 35-16 with a 3.33 ERA over the past two seasons."We believe Carlos has established... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians have picked up their $9.75 million contract option on starter Carlos Carrasco for next season.Carrasco has developed into one of the AL's best pitchers. The team has another option for 2020 on the right-hander, who has won 35 games over the past two seasons.The team declined their $3 million option next season on outfielder Brandon Guyer, who battled through injuries last season. He'll get a $250,000 buyout and become a free agent.The Indians were facing deadlines this week on both players.The 31-year-old Carrasco went 17-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 30 starts last season. He also recorded a team-high 231 strikeouts as the Indians became the first team in baseball history to have four pitchers top the 200-strikeout plateau.Guyer, 32, batted .206 with seven homers and 27 RBIs in 103 games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Terry Francona's emotions are still raw and real. The postseason pain hasn't subsided just yet.Still feeling a "sting" after another successful season for Cleveland ended in disappointment and well short of a World Series title, Francona tried to explain on Wednesday why his team looked so overmatched against the Houston Astros.Francona didn't have all the answers — and he got annoyed at one point while defending star Jose Ramirez — but if October has taught anything to the two-time Series winner with Boston, it's that only one manager won't get second-guessed when the playoffs end."When you win you're smart, and when you lose you're dumb," Francona said. "That's kind of the way it is. You have one chance to do it, so you do it to the best of your ability and you have the confidence to come answer the questions and move on. But also move on trying to learn from what you didn't do good enough."The Indians weren't close to being good enough against the Astros, who had little... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Terry Francona's emotions are still raw and real. The postseason pain hasn't subsided just yet.Still feeling a "sting" after another successful season for Cleveland ended in disappointment and well short of a World Series title, Francona tried to explain on Tuesday why his team looked so overmatched against the Houston Astros.Francona didn't have all the answers — and he got annoyed at one point while defending star Jose Ramirez — but if October has taught anything to the two-time Series winner with Boston, it's that only one manager won't get second-guessed when the playoffs end."When you win you're smart, and when you lose you're dumb," Francona said. "That's kind of the way it is. You have one chance to do it, so you do it to the best of your ability and you have the confidence to come answer the questions and move on. But also move on trying to learn from what you didn't do good enough."The Indians weren't close to being good enough against the Astros, who had little... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — For the third year in a row, the unmistakable aroma of champagne wafted into the hallway outside the visitor's clubhouse following the final game at Progressive Field.On the Cleveland side, the smell was sour.The Indians were built for one goal: to win their first World Series since 1948. Yet after cruising to a third straight AL Central title, they couldn't get past the first round.October rejects again."We had a good year," said pitcher Trevor Bauer, whose shift from the starting rotation to the bullpen for the postseason maybe best summed up Cleveland's unsatisfying, disjointed season. "We definitely could have gone further. We had a lot of talent here and it didn't go our way."Nothing went Cleveland's way. But beyond being swept by the impressive Houston Astros, who were superior at every level, the Indians barely put up a fight.Postseason push-overs.The Indians were so close in 2016, when they took the Chicago Cubs into extra innings in Game 7 of the World Series.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:2-0 CHANGEUPSean Newcomb will start Game 3 of the Braves' NL Division Series against the Dodgers instead of Kevin Gausman. With Atlanta trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five series, manager Brian Snitker made the swap Saturday. The 25-year-old Newcomb came within a strike of throwing a no-hitter against the Dodgers at home on July 29, and also threw two scoreless innings in relief in the series opener Thursday."We need to win," Snitker said. "Not that Gausman doesn't give us that opportunity. We like how Newcomb matches up with them and the success that he's had against the Dodgers this year."Rookie right-hander Walker Buehler is expected to start for Los Angeles. He allowed one hit in 6 2/3 scoreless innings Monday during the 5-2 win over Colorado in the NL West tiebreaker and finished 8-5 with a 2.62 ERA.COMING TO COORSThe Rockies hope the thin mountain air in Denver might help them solve Milwaukee's pitchers. Colorado is facing elimination... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Two Octobers after sparking a reliever revolution, Andrew Miller came up empty.Miller failed to get an out in relief of starter Carlos Carrasco, allowing a go-ahead double to Marwin Gonzalez as the Cleveland Indians lost to Houston 3-1 Saturday and fell into a 2-0 AL Division Series deficit."I wasn't good," Miller said. "I wasn't effective."Miller's ineffectual outing would have been a stunner two years ago, when manager Terry Francona leaned on him for as many as eight outs at a time while Cleveland played all the way to Game 7 of the World Series. It was game-changing when Francona called on Miller as early as the fifth inning that fall, but such aggressive bullpen management has become common around the majors since.Miller hasn't been the same this year, a season that included three stints on the disabled list.Cleveland was clinging to a 1-0 lead with two on and one out in the sixth when Francona called on Miller. Gonzalez immediately drove a two-run double to deep right... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:2-0 CHANGEUPSean Newcomb will start Game 3 of the Braves' NL Division Series against the Dodgers instead of Kevin Gausman. With Atlanta trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five series, manager Brian Snitker made the swap Saturday. The 25-year-old Newcomb came within a strike of throwing a no-hitter against the Dodgers at home on July 29, and also threw two scoreless innings in relief in the series opener Thursday."We need to win," Snitker said. "Not that Gausman doesn't give us that opportunity. We like how Newcomb matches up with them and the success that he's had against the Dodgers this year."Rookie right-hander Walker Buehler is expected to start for Los Angeles. He allowed one hit in 6 2/3 scoreless innings Monday during the 5-2 win over Colorado in the NL West tiebreaker and finished 8-5 with a 2.62 ERA.COMING TO COORSThe Rockies hope the thin mountain air in Denver might help them solve Milwaukee's pitchers. Colorado is facing elimination... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Two Octobers after sparking a reliever revolution, Andrew Miller came up empty.Miller failed to get an out in relief of starter Carlos Carrasco, allowing a go-ahead double to Marwin Gonzlaez as the Cleveland Indians lost to Houston 3-1 Saturday and fell into a 2-0 AL Division Series deficit.Miller's ineffectual outing would have been a stunner two years ago, when manager Terry Francona leaned on him for as many as eight outs at a time while Cleveland played all the way to Game 7 of the World Series.Miller hasn't been the same this year, a season that included three stints on the disabled list.Cleveland was clinging to a 1-0 lead with two on and one out in the sixth when Francona called on Miller. Gonzalez immediately drove a two-run double to deep right field. Miller then walked Carlos Correa, let both runners advance on a wild pitch and intentionally walked Tyler White before Francona came for the ball.Miller had only allowed one previous inherited runner to score in his... [More]